"There are some who can live without wild things, and some who cannot. These essays are the delights and dilemmas of one who cannot" - Aldo Leopold

2011/04/19

Insects at South Dyke Sharing Farm

Another nice day today to head out and check out what critters I can find over at South Dyke Community Garden/Sharing Farm.

Sky-watching from the garden.

First insect I spotted. A Giant Western Crane Fly (Holorusia hespera), I think, according to my field guide.

European Paper Wasp that I chased around for quite a while. It wasn't doing much of anything - except for trying to find a spot on the ground where it can enjoy the sun in peace, while avoiding me following it around.

One of the commonly seen flies, perhaps a House Fly (Musca domestica).

Found this honey bee-like bee in the dandelion, in terms of a striped abdomen, but it was too small to be a honey bee. Maybe a Sweat Bee (Family Halictidae).

Then I found several individuals of the following species, a large-sized hover fly about the size of honey bee. Family Syrphidae is my best ID.

Another hover fly (Family Syrphidae), maybe.

Finally found a bee! This European Honey Bee was busy foraging the dandelion flowers and look at the pollens all over its body. The pollen made it look like a pale-colored honey bee and seemed to weight it down when it flew from one flower to another.

Although dandelions are considered a weedy plant, I wonder how important they are as a part of pollinators' diets when there are no flowering plants around.

Afterwards, I went to London's Landing to check on the Rufous Hummingbird.

There it is.

Opened beak.

Looking fierce.

Then I went to the trail next to the railroad tracks. I only photographed this Alder leaf against the blue sky and tree.